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Thursday, 28 October 2010

On my previous post I showed a Ball decoration available from Re-found Objects. I was interested to see if I could make these decorations myself and found these instructions on eHow. So I'll be giving it a try in the next few weeks and I'll post the results, good or bad.

How to Make a Paper Honeycomb Ball

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cardstock

Compass

Pencil

Scissors

18 sheets of tissue paper

Glue stick

Ruler

Paper clips

1

Draw a circle on the cardstock with a compass. Alternatively, you can use a bowl, large glass or other object that you can place on the cardstock and trace around to make a circle. Cut out the circle.

2

Layer the tissue paper into a stack, lining them up evenly. Put the cardstock circle on top of the stack of tissue paper. Trace around the cardstock circle onto the tissue paper. Remove the cardstock circle. Cut out a circle from all 18 sheets of tissue paper at the same time. Hold the tissue paper securely when you cut it because it may slide. If this happens, your circles will not be symmetrical.

3

Fold the cardstock circle exactly in half, crease the fold and reopen it. Cut the circle in half along the crease line. Line up the two halves of the cardstock circle side by side on a flat work surface. Lay down glue on the cardstock circle with the gluestick. The glue does not have to cover the circle completely, but there should be enough to hold a layer of tissue paper securely.

4

Place one circle of tissue paper onto the cardstock, lining it up exactly. Press down to secure the glue to the tissue paper.

5

Place dabs of glue around the outer rim of the tissue paper at four spots that are equidistant from each other. Pretend the circle is a clock face and place glue at 3, 6, 9 and 12.

6

Place a second circle of tissue paper directly over the first and press down on the dabs of glue. This adheres the second layer to the first. Put dabs of glue on this layer, locating them exactly between those on the first layer. In other words, put dabs of glue at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30.

7

Press another layer of tissue paper onto the second and press down. Now dab glue this layer in the same places you glued the first circle: 3, 6, 9 and 12.

8

Place another tissue paper circle on top of the stack and press it down. Continue in this manner, placing dabs of glue in alternating locations for each circle of tissue paper until all the tissue paper circles are glued in the stack except one. Continue with the glue procedure, putting four dabs on the top layer.

9

Cut the last circle of tissue paper exactly in half. Place one of the halves on the stack to match up with the position of one of the halves of the cardstock circle underneath. Press down to secure it in place.

10

Place the edge of a ruler on top of the stack to line up with the edge of the half-circle of tissue paper. Holding the ruler firmly in place with one hand, use the other to fold half of the circle, cardstock and all, along the edge of the ruler, creating a crease line. Slide the ruler out as you fold the entire circle in half. Press down firmly, creasing the middle of the tissue paper circles where the cardstock is cut.

11

Once the glue is dry, open the folded half circle all the way around until the two halves of cardstock line up and come together. The tissue paper will now form a honeycomb ball. Secure the cardstock halves together with paper clips.

Tuesday, 26 October 2010

I realise it is still a bit early for some to be talking about Christmas, but I just keep finding these wonderful decorations. I was browsing Re-found Objects' website and came across these White Paper Snowflakes. They are just so pretty and delicate, especially when hung in groups as below. They are available in Giant (D72cm) Regular (D56cm) and Small (D38cm).

They also have these wonderful Paper Bells and Balls, available in a range of sizes and colours including Green, Red, White, Pale Pink, Purple, Orange, Dusty Rose, Lavender, Light Blue, and Cerise. I personally love the combination of the white and red for a festive look, but you could use them for weddings of parties.

Friday, 22 October 2010

I was recently browsing on one of my favourite gift sites Cox and Cox and saw these wonderful Christmas decorations. I particularly like the Decorative Glass Birds, the box contains a beautiful set of 6 painted birds featuring three different designs and colours, they would add a vintage feel to any Christmas tree.

Monday, 18 October 2010

Carol Ridler lives in the Lincolnshire countryside and uses reclaimed locally sourced wood to create wonderfully simple yet chic Christmas decorations. I realise it's probably a bit early to be talking about Christmas decs but I saw these at the weekend in Stamford and had to share them with you. Each piece is designed, drawn, cut and finished by Carol. She has received critical acclaim from the UK interior and style press, so if you are wanting a paired down look this festive season check out her website.

Friday, 15 October 2010

This new Evoke Mio radio designed by Orla Kiely would look fantastic in any kitchen. It features Orla's signature stem print, a mirrored chromed handle, walnut veneered cabinet, cream fascia and a stylish leather tag. The radio itself has Digital and FM radio, an iPod/MP£ input, Intellitext and textSCAN, an auto-dimming OLED display, an alarm, a kitchen timer (oooh good idea!) and a USB connector. It is available from early November exclusively from John Lewis. My Christmas list is expanding as I type this, oh well my 30th is coming up soon so I better start a list for that too!

Thursday, 14 October 2010

At the moment I am into all things paper. I am in the process of making origami birds and thinking about what kind of Christmas decorations I could make . I particularly love Japanese papers and tapes as shown below from Papermash. This fantastic selection of masking tapes makes for many crafting opportunities, and from £5.95 for 2 rolls it is a fairly inexpensive way of jazzing up notebooks or giftwrap.

Wednesday, 13 October 2010

Whenever I'm in London I try to get to the V&A, even if it is just for the shop. There is always something quirky and interesting in there even if it's just a postcard. At the moment I am loving the V&A Print shop. They sell everything from Rob Ryan Laser cut prints to Black and white photos of fifties screen stars such as Grace Kelly.

This print is of the Small Hours furnishing fabric by Lucienne Day for Heals from 1953.

This is a photograph of Grace Kelly taken by Clarence Sinclair Bull, 1956. I love the simplicity of this photo.

This print is titled 'Pattern' by Nina Chakrabarti for the V&A Cherry on the Cake: Paper Collection. This print incorporates the current trend for patchwork but with the twist of modern patterning.

Here we have Relais, from Quinze planches donnant quarante-deux motifs décoratifs by Edouard Benedictus, 1930. The colour combinations in this print are wonderful, would love a room decorated in these tones.

I love this 'Make Do and Mend' print by Bold & Noble. It's so simple but that's what makes it perfect!

And of course, how could we forget the wonderful Rob Ryan laser cut.

So as you can see the V&A offer a print to suit every taste. So next time your in London pop into the museum shop or get browsing.

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

As you can probably tell from my recent blogs I have a love for all things Orla Kiely so I was very excited about her recently launched new range of kitchenware. It includes storage jars, tea pots, sugar bowls and serving dishes. The colours are very autumnal, why not mix and match them to retain that vintage look and make sure they are not hidden away in a cupboard, these pieces were designed to be displayed with pride.

This wonderful new range is available from Heals and soon Bliss home. Since I have already started collecting the mugs I might as well go the whole hog and start collecting these too, much to my husband's dismay!

Friday, 8 October 2010

I have been a keen follower of Rob Ryan's work for a while now. His laser cut prints have inspired pretty much every major retailer to produce designs with folky patterns and messages. His influence can be seen in everything from Stationery to textile design. He also produces his lovely illustrations on tiles as seen below, all his products can be purchase from his etsy store or from his shop on Columbia Road, Ryan Town.

At the recent Top Drawer Exhibition Wild & Wolf were exhibiting an exciting new Rob Ryan licensed range. Including a vase, plates, notebooks and mugs.

Rob will also be having a solo show 'The Stars Shine All Day Too' at the air gallery from 1st to the 20th of November. I will definitely be getting myself down to London for that, as I missed his open studio at Somerset House during the summer.

Thursday, 7 October 2010

I recently discovered Mibo, a lighting and homewares brand set up by Madeleine Rogers. All the products are made in the UK from their Hove seaside studio. I'd seen the Paper Animals below in a recent issue of Elle Decoration so decided to explore their website.

The wallpapers are lovely particularly Clacket Lane Grey which features small birds and berries in soft hues, perfect for a feature wall.

You can see this wallpaper in use in the home of Nicole Balch. She writes one of my favourite blogs making it lovely which is all about transforming her century old bungalow near Chicago into a lovely home.

Mibo also has a selection of screen prints, tile tattoos, teatowels, cushions and lampshades. The Aldeburgh shade is my favourite, it also happens to be named after one of my favourite places in Suffolk.

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

I currently have a bit of a thing for Vintage Art Deco inspired mirrors. My collection is up to 5 at the moment and still growing. At some point I would like to make a wall of different shaped mirrors. I recently saw these lovely mirrors in an advert for Next Home. This set of three Charleston mirrors is only £65 and look great all together on a wall as the picture below. Yet another thing to add to my wish list.

Friday, 1 October 2010

High up on my wishlist at the moment is Orla Kiely's book on Pattern, which gives readers an insight into her creative process. As a lover of all things Orla is would make a great addition to my design book collection, and a great source of inspiration.

Another book I find really useful for inspiration is the Print Pattern book, released earlier this year it is the creation of Bowie Style the author of the Print Pattern Blog. As a graphic designer herself she has created a blog that covers all aspects of pattern design, from wallpaper, cards, textiles, and ceramics. I can't enthuse enough about how useful this site is for sparking off ideas. She is apparently in the process of creating a second book, that will definitely have to go on my Christmas list.